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As reported last week, the casting search continues for the new Star Trek movie. The focus for the search for a new Scotty is in London where it appears they are casting a wide net to find a new chief engineer for J.J. Abrams Star Trek. The latest name to be thrown into the ring is 24 year old Scottish actor Martin Compston (pictured right), best known for his role on the BBC drama Monarch of the Glen. The UK’s Daily Record cites friends of Compston’s saying he has had callbacks, but also notes that he is up against a lot of competition and that he may look too young for the part. Just last week the same newspaper cited friends of 38 year old Scottish comedic actor Greg Hemphill (pictured left) saying he too had auditioned for the role. Their names join James McAvoy’s for those who have been rumored to be in the running, but there are undoubtedly many more who don’t have friends talking to the media.

In a series of interviews conducted during his visit to New York City as part of the Heroes World Tour this past week, Zachary Quinto talked about getting the role as the new Spock and his preparations to don the ears for the new Star Trek film. "It’s something I gunned for. I mean, I really wanted to play this role," he tells the London Free Press, but noted to the National post “I don’t think I would have gone after it if I didn’t feel ready for it.” Quinto told SciFi Wire that he is "becoming more familiar with the mythology" of Trek, but also still charting his own course: I am going to go about it in my own way, which I am starting to do now. And that is really exciting. I am learning a lot about Vulcans and a lot about Romulans and a lot about really interesting stuff so I am looking forward to more of it

The following is a TrekMovie.com community member written story The Heroes world tour came to New York this week to promote the Heroes – Season One DVDs and the Season 2 premiere. On hand were artist Tim Sale, writer/producer Jeph Loeb along with Noah Gray-Cabey (Micah), James Kyson Lee (Ando), new cast member Dania Ramirez (Maya), and Zachary Quinto (Sylar and the new Spock). All were there (squeezed together on one table) signing DVDs, so chatting and taking pics was tricky.Mr. Quinto was cool and I welcomed him to the Star Trek family with a Vulcan salute. The new Spock quickly returned it with his left hand, but admitted he couldn’t do it with his right yet. Dania Ramirez apparently is a real Trekkie and showed off her Vulcan sign with both hands! (see photos below) I asked if Zach would pose with the gesture and he said "Please no, I’m gonna be doing it for the rest of my life soon enough!"

While promoting his new film Fierce People, Anton Yelchin briefly answered a couple questions about his role as Pavel Chekov in the new Star Trek film. “There’s not much to say, actually,” he explained to Collider.com, but went on to say he was excited the project and about working with director J.J. Abrams. The 18-year-old Russian born actor guessed his age and background may have something to do with his casting, joking “I can do a Russian, [I am] familiar with Russian people. Very, very familiar.” UPDATE: Yelchin talks about audition process (see below)

TrekMovie.com has another Star Trek casting scoop (remember we were first with Quinto as Spock). Sources close to the production tell TrekMovie.com that 29-year-old actress Zoë Saldana has been offered the part of Uhura – the USS Enterprise’s communications officer originally played by Nichelle Nichols. Apparently the deal is not yet final and one outstanding issue may be related to her schedule starring in the James Cameron sci-fi mega movie Avatar which is still in production. Sources indicate that Avatar will be doing location shooting starting in October and Star Trek is slated to start shooting in November. Dealing with a busy actor’s schedules is not new to the Star Trek producers – the same had to be done for  Quinto. Insiders tell TrekMovie.com that casting for other Star Trek characters is still ongoing. UPDATE: Confirmed – Zoe Saldana Is The New Uhura